Machine for sewing mattress boxing strips



9 Sheets-Sheet l M. BECHIK ET AL MACHINE FOR SEWING MATTRESS BOXING STRIPS l Filed April l2, 1947 May 2, 1950 @www xQ I 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 2f, 1950 M. BEcl-nK ETAL MACHINE FoR SEWING MATTRESS BOXING sIRIPs Filed AprII I2, 1947 Ion J M. BECHIK ET AL MACHINE FOR SEWING MATTRESS BOXING STRIPS Filed April 12, 1947 May 2q, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 M. BECHIK ET AL MACHINE FOR SEWING MATTRESS BOXING STRIPS May 2, 1950 Filed April 12, 1947 May 2, 1950 M. BECHIK ETAL MACHINE: FOR SEWING MATTRESS BOXING STRIPS Filed April I2, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 NS l llll I y 0 I M, fw MS mM M. MA u W S fw w f .ww "HMI m. y Nm.======== PME a5. r I 4M..|-.||I|| ,.E. 1| l. .a H C. L in E SMR n QQ w iw QQ mb m 5% mlm q| .l zl m5 N%\ May 2,` `1950 l M. BEcHlK ETAI.

MAQHINE FoR SEWING MATTRESS BOXING STRIPS Filed April 12, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Z i 9 mlm- May '21, 1950 M. BEcHlK ETAL 2,505,822

MACHINE FOR SEWING MATTRESS BXING STRIPS Filed April 12, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 May 2, 1950 M. BEcHlK. ET AL MACHINE Foa SEWING MATTRESS BOXING STRIPS Filed April 12, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 May 2, "1950 M. BECHIK am. 2,505,822

I MACHINE FOR SEWING MATTRESS BOXING STRIPS Filed April 12, 1947 9 sheets-sheet 9 Patented May 2, 1950 MACHINE FOR SEWING MATTRESS BOXING STRIPS Michael Bechk and Joel G. Strandberg, St. Paul, Minn., assignors to Bechk Products Inc., St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application April 12, 1947, Serial No. 741,124

24 Claims.

Our invention relates broadly to quilting machines and more specifically to devices for stitching together a plurality of plies of material such as used in mattress borders or the like.

An object of our invention is the provision of a machine of the above type, which automatically feeds material therethrough while the same is being continuously sewn in a pattern of stitching which extends both transversely and longitudinally thereof.

A still further object of our invention is the provision of means for simply and rapidly varying the length of both the longitudinal and transverse lines of stitching while the machine is in operation.

Another important object of our invention is the provision of a device having a pair of cooperating feed rollers and a sewing machine mounted on a reciprocating carriage which moves transversely of the line of feed, wherein said feed rollers and said carriage are automatically operated by hydraulic means.

A still further object of our invention is the provision of a novel combination of elements and arrangement of parts wherein the hydraulic mechanism is controlled by valve means operated by snap action mechanism.

A still further object of our invention is the provision of a device of the type immediately above-described, wherein said snap action mechanism is so arranged that movement of either the carriage or feed rollers to a predetermined point will cause termination of the movement thereof and simultaneously initiate movement of the other thereof, whereby the progress of the stitching mechanism is continuous and uninterrupted and the angles between the longitudinal and transverse lines of stitching are sharper than those of any machine heretofore developed.

Another object of our invention is the provision of a machine of the type above-described, wherein the number of stitches per unit of linear measure will not be varied by increasing or decreasing of the length of either the longitudinal or transverse lines of stitching.

A still further important object of our invention is the provision of a structure which is relatively simple in construction, has relatively few moving parts, and which is extremely durable and foolproof in operation.

The above and still numerous other advantages and objects of our invention will become apparent from the following detailed specication, appended claims, and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts ,hroughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of our improved sewing machine, some parts 'being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of our improved machine with some parts being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a View in end elevation, some parts being broken away;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view partly in horizontal section and partly in bottom plan, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical section. taken substantially on the line 6--6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary section, taken on the line 'l--l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2, some parts being broken away;

Fig. 9 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3, but showing a slightly different position of some of the parts;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially on the line Ill-II) of Fig. 4;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view in section, taken on the line II-Il of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken on the line I 2-I2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 3-l3 of Fig. 3

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line lll-I4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 15 is a view corresponding to Fig. 14, but showing a different position of some of the parts;

Fig. 16 is a detail in section, taken on the line lS-H of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic operating mechanism of our invention;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary View of the control valve means of Fig. 17, showing a second position of the valve elements;

Fig. 19 is a View corresponding to Fig. 181, but showing a third position of the valve elements; and

Fig. 20 is a view corresponding to Fig. 181, but showing a fourth position of the valve elements.

Description and operation of feed roller and carriage mechanisms Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the numeral I indicates in its entirety a'frame including a bed plate 2, supported adjacent its four corners by legs 3 and having depending therefrom a partition li and a skirt 5. A pair of cooperating feed rollers 6 and preferably having knurled surfaces, are journalled in bearing blocks 3 in a pair of vertically disposed guide brackets 9. Guide brackets 9, in turn, are rigidly secured to bed plate 2, adjacent one edge thereof, by means of bolts or the like lil. Preferably, and as shown, the rollers maybe spread, to facilitate insertion therebetween of material to be stitched, by means of cam-acting elements I i interposed between the bearing blocks 8 within the guide brackets 9. Cam elements il are equipped with levers i2 joined by a handlemember I3. adjustment screw-equipped cap i5, secured to the upper ends of the guide brackets 9 by means of screws IS, adjustably bias the rollers 6 and fi toward each other. The rollers 6 and l (see Fig. 7) are caused to rotate in unison by means of spur gears il and I8 fast on shafts '6' and 1 of the feedA rollers l and l, respectively, .and a pair of intermediate idler gears I9 and 25J. The idler gears I9 and 20 are journalled in linkage, in a conventional manner, to allow the Yfeed rollers and l .to vbe spread apart without loss of gear .mesh therebetween. The bearing block 8 fo;1 the feed roller 'i is held against vertical movements in the guide brackets Vil by means of screws or ,the like 2| (see Figs..9 and l1) A housing22 encloses the spur gears il and vI and the idler `gears 'i9 and 20.

As shown particularly in Fig. 10, .the shaft ll projects through the roller l, and at its end opposite vto the spur gear i8, projects through the guide bracket ii and has secured thereto a pair of over-riding clutch elements 2,3 and Y211, each of which is provided at its periphery with an annular pinion ygear 25 and 26 respectively. Spaced plates 2l on both sides of the gears 25 and 25, connected by guide members 28, form guideways for a pair of racks 29 and 30, Which .have meshing engagement with theannular pinion gears 25 and 26, respectively. The over-riding clutch elements 23 and 2li are notched as at 3i to contain roller elements 32. The roller elements 32 are biased by springs 33 towardcamming engagement with the interior of .the annular pinion gears 25 and'ZE.

It will herebe noted that the racks 29 and 3G are disposed at opposite sides of the shaft l" so thatl upward movement of the racks 29 and 30 will cause rotation of the pinion gears 25 and 26 in oppositev directions. However, the disposition of the clutch elements 23 and 2,4 is such that upward movement of the racks will cause the clutch 23 to become operative while the clutch 24 remains inoperative, thus imparting a rotary movement to the feed rollers l vin a counterclock- Wise direction with respect to Fig. l0. Upon downward movements of the racks 29 and 30, the clutch element 23 will become disengaged While the clutch element 2li becomes operative, thereby rotating the feed rollers 'l further in a counterclockwise direction with respect to Fig. 10.

The racks 29 and 3l] are rigidly secured at their lower ends to a crosshead 34 of a pistonequipped plunger 35 which works in a doubleended hydraulic cylinder 36 which is secured to the partition 4 by means of bolts or the like 3l.

The bed plate 2 is provided with a transverse elongated opening 38 in which a reciprocating carriage, identified in its entirety by the numeral 39 is adapted to travel. As shown, the carriage has a supporting plate 40, which is secured by A coil compression spring le within an screws or the like @l to a slide 42 which, in turn, is mounted for sliding movements in a pair of ways 133, secured by bolts or the like te to the under side of the bed plate adjacent the opening 38, one on each side thereof. A pair of gibs 15 are interposed between the slide 2 and the ways 43 and may be carried by either one thereof.

Underlying the carriage in'parallel relationship thereto is a double-ended cyinder it which is secured to the partition e. A piston-equipped plunger rod lll' works within the cylinder l5 and, 'at one end, is connected with a bracket i8 that is secured to the slide ft2 by means of bolts '29. A sewing machine 5d, of conventional design, is mounted on the carriage 39 and is driven from a'motor'i by means of a V-belt t2 running over a pulley 53 on the :motor and another pulley 5e, whichis fast on a countershaft 55, journalled in bearings 55 on the partition 11. A drive belt 5T runs over a pulley 58 which is keyed to the countershaft 55 for sliding movements thereon, and over a pulley 53 on the sev-fing machine. The sewing machinee is equipped vwith a reciprocating sewing needle Sli working ythrough a, presser foot iii. As heretofore stated, the sewing machine is of conventional design and no further description thereof need be made. A depending, bifurcated flange 42 works within a circumferential groove 58 inthe hub of the pulley 5S to impart sliding movements thereto on the shaft d5 coincidental to movements of the carriage 39 in the ways 43.

Description of hydraulic mechanism and control therefor The hydraulic cylinders 35 and it are adapted to be supplied with vfluid from a reservoir 52, by means of a fluid pump d3 driven from the motor 5l by a belt 64 running over aV -pulley 65 on the motor 45i land a pulley Se on the pump S3. Movements of the piston-equipped plunger rods within the cylinders 36 and ri are controlled by means of control valves 51 and YG58, respectively. The pump 63 receives uid from the reservoir and supplies fluid under relatively high pressure to the valves Si andiii, through a conduit 65. Conduits 'iii and 'il extend from the valve 6l 'to opposite ends of the cylinder 'fl-5, and the conduits 12 and i3 extend from the control valve 68 to opposite ends of the cylinder 36. A conduit 'M extends from the control valves 5l and 68 to form a low pressure return to the reservoir 62.

The control valves Sl and @Si are provided with reciprocal valve elements i5 and le respectively, which are in the nature of pistons having reduced central portions 11.

It should now be apparent that, when either of the valve elements 'i5 or 16 is placed in one extreme position Within the valve bodies 61 or 68 respectively, fluid under pressure will be forced into one end of a cooperating cylinder (4S or 35) and that fluid will be forced from the other end thereof, through the cooperating valve back to the reservoir 62. Likewise, when valve elements 15 and 'i6 are moved to their other extreme positions within the valve bodies 6l and @8 respectively, iluid under pressure will be forced from the reservoir 62 to the other ends of the cooperating cylinders 4E and 36 respectively. However, when either of the valve elements 15 or 16 is placed in a central position in the valve bodies 61 and 68 respectively, flow through either of the cylinders 46 and 35 will be blocked off. See particularly Figs. 17 to 20 inclusive.

The valve elements 15 and 16 are provided with extended stems 'i8 and 19 respectively that are each pivotally secured to one end of a pair of centrally pivoted links 80. The links 80 are pivotally secured to the partition l of the frame I, as indicated at 8|, and at their opposite ends have pivoted thereto connecting rods B2. An up standing lever 83 is pivotally secured at its lower end to the partition 4, as indicated at 84, and is adapted to be moved by mechanism hereinafter to be described. Pivotally secured, as at 85, to the lever 83 is a T-shaped bell crank 86. The connecting rods 82 are pivotally secured to the ends of the diametrically-opposed short arms of the bell crank 86, as at 81. A substantially vertically-extending connecting rod 89 is pivoted at its lower end to the extreme end 89 of the central arm of the bell crank 86. At its upper end, the connecting rod 88 is pivoted to the outer end 90 of a crank arm 9| which is fast on a rock shaft 92 journalled in a bearing 93 and the partition 4. The lever 83 and the mechanism comprising the rock shaft 92, crank arm 9|, connecting rod 88, and bell crank 86, cooperate to properly position the valve elements and 16 in the valve bodies 61 and 68 respectively to control movel ments of the piston-equipped plungers 41 and 35 respectively. It will be seen, by reference to Figs. 17 to 20 inclusive, that different combinations of positions of the lever 83 and the crank arm 9| cause the valve elements 15 and 16 to assume different combinations of positions in the valves 61 and 68 respectively, so that with the lever 83 and the crank arm 9| in the positions shown in Fig. 17, the valve element 15 and 16 are positioned to block on ow to and from the cylinder 46, but to allow iiuid under pressure to enter the lower end of the cylinder 36 and subsequently cause upward movement of the pistonequipped plunger rod 35. Referring now to Fig. 18, it will be noted that the crank arm 9| is in the same position as that of Fig. 17, but that the lever 83 has been moved to the right with respect to Fig. 17. It will here be seen that the valve element 16 is moved to a position blocking off now of fluid to and from the cylinder 36 and that the valve element 15 is simultaneously positioned so as to allow fluid under pressure to flow from the pump 63 through conduits 69 and 10 to one end of the cylinder 46, thus forcing the plunger rod i1 from the left toward the right with respect to Fig. 17. Referring now to Fig. 19, it will be seen that the lever 83 has been retained in the position of Fig. 18, but that the crank arm 9| has been .rotated in a counterclockwise direction with respect to Fig. 19 to cause the valve element 15 to be placed in an intermediate position ini the valve body 61 to block off flow of fluid to and from the cylinder 46, and that the valve element 16 has been simultaneously placed in an extreme position in the valve body 68 to allow fluid to be forced through the conduits 69 and 12 to the upper end of cylinder 36 to cause downward movement of the piston-equipped plunger 35. With reference now to Fig. 20, it will be seen that the crank arm 9| is retained in the position of Fig. 19 but that the lever 83 has been moved back to the position of Fig. 17 causing the valve element 16 to be placed in a central positlon in the valve body 68 so as to block o iiow to and from the cylinder 36. The valve element 15 has been simultaneously moved to an extreme position wherein fluid is allowed to flow under pressure from the pump 63 through the conduits 69 and 1| into the cylinder 46 to move the piston-equipped plunger rod 41 in a direction from the right to the left with respect to Fig. 17.

Description of smtp action mechanism At its upper end, lever 83 has a loose tongueand-groove connection with a collar 94, fast on a push rod 95, adjacent one end thereof. Push rod is suitably mounted for sliding movements in bearings 96 secured to the under side of the bed plate 2 adjacent one side of the path of travel of the carriage 39. A pair of abutments, in the nature of collars 91 and 98, are secured fast to the push rod 95 in spaced relationship, one to the other, intermediate the bearings 96. A rectangular open-sided frame 99 is mounted for sliding movements on the push rod 95 between the collars 91 and 98 and contains therein a coil compression spring |00 encompassing the push rod 95. The frame 99 is of less length than the distance between the collars 91 and 98 and has interposed therebetween, and the collars 91 and 98, a pair of coil compression springs |0I and |02 respectively. A pair of cushioning springs |03 encompass the push rod 95, one each between the collars 91 and 98 and their adjacent bearings 96. Mounted for sliding movements on the push rod 95 at each end of the spring |00, within the frame 99, is a stud-equipped collar |04. The studequipped collars |04 have working engagement with the bifurcated ends of a pair of bell cranks |05 and |06 which are intermediately pivoted to one of the guideways 43 as at |01. The bell cranks |05 and I 06 at their free ends are equipped with rollers |88 which, upon reciprocation of the carriage 39, are adapted to engage a cam plate |09 which is secured to the slide 42 of the carriage 39, by means of bolts IIO or the like.

Mounted for longitudinal sliding movements in the bearings 96 adjacent the push rod 95, and parallel thereto, is a trip rod indicated in its entirety by the numeral and which comprises a pair of trip rod sections ||2 and I I3 joined by a coupling II4. The adjacent ends of the rod sections II2 and H3 are reversely threaded. The threaded portion of each of the trip rod sections II2 and II3 carry a pair of lugs II5 and ||6 respectively, one on either side of the coupling I4. Mounted for sliding movements in the spaced lugs II5 and ||6 is a slide rod ||1 which is spaced from, but parallel to, the trip rod I||, and has fast thereon, intermediate the lugs II5 and ||6, a tripping element in the form of a block 8. A link I I9 has one end thereof pivoted to the block IIB, as at |28, and the other end pivotally secured to one end of a bell crank lever I2|, as at |22.

The bell crank I2|, at its intermediate portion, is pivotally mounted to the partition 4, as indicated at |23. At its other end, the bell crank I2| is pivoted to one end of a relatively short link |24, the other end of which is pivotally secured to the crosshead 34 (see particularly Fig. 2). Mounted fast on the trip rod sections II2 and |I3 respectively, in spaced relation and between the bearings 96, are a pair of collars |25 and |26, respectively. The collars |25 and |26 are positioned to engage, under sliding movements of the trip rod I||, a pair of bifurcated crank arms |21 and |28 respectively that are fast, one adjacent each end of a pair of pivot pins |29 having their axes transversely of the direction of movement of the trip rod |I| and journalled in bearings |30 on the under side of the bed plate '2. Mounted fast adjacent the opposite ends of the pivot pins |29 is a pair oi' dogs ISI and |32 which are adapted to engage the abutment-forming collars 91 and 98 respectively on the push rod 95. A pair of coil extension springs |33 4have each one end secured to a bearing 96 and another end thereof fastened to one of the crank arms itl and |25. The springs |33 exert yielding bias upon the crank arms |21 and IES to move their respective dogs |38 and |32 into the path of travel of the abutment-forming collars 91 and 58 respectively.

The rock shaft 92 is provided adjacent one of the bearings 96 thereof with a crank IM mounted fast thereon. At its free end, the crank 534 is provided with a pin |35 which works in a slotted. collar |35 fast on the end of a push rod e5. Push rod 95 is mounted in suitable bearings 95 and is parallel both to the path of travel of carriage 39 and to the push rod 55. Most of the structure now about to be described is identical to the snap action mechanism immediately above described and disposed on the opposite side of the carriage 3s therefrom. Thus, it will be noted that the push rod 95 is provided with abutment-forming collars ill and 58', open-sided rectanuglar frame S9', a, coil spring ille carried therein, compression springs liii and lili', cushion springs HB3', and collars it. pair of bell cranks ist and 65 pivoted at iill and carrying rollers ltd respectively are adapted to engage the cam plate |59', opposed to the cam plate Eile on the under side of the slide e?, and are attached thereto by bolts Iii. A trip rod i i i is made up of trip rod sections M2 and H3 connected by a coupling li and is provided with lugs H5 and Mii threaded thereon in the same manner as the lugs H5 and llt are threaded unto the sections H2 and H3 respectively. A trip finger itl is carried by the cam plate itil and is adapted, under reciprocation oi the cam plate 859', to engage either one of the lugs H5 or lit" t@ move the trip rod Hi. The trip rod ill is provided with a pair of collars |25 and i226 which, under movements of the trip rod ill', engage crank arms lZl and i228 respectively that are fast, one adjacent each end of a pair of pivot pins |29 having their axes transversely of the direction of the movement of the trip rod i i i and journalled in bearings E35' on the under side of the bed plate 2. A pair of dogs itl and L32 mounted adjacent the opposite ends of the pins |29 are adapted to engage the abutment-forming collars al' and d3 respectively. A pair of coil extension springs |33 have each one end secured to a bearing 95 and another end thereof fastened to one of the crank arms E21 28. The springs exert yielding bias upon the crank arms lZl and S255 to move their respective dogs ii and |32 into the path of travel of the abutmentforming collars 91 and 98 respectively.

A work table |38 is mounted on legs |39 at one end thereof, on the bed plate 2, and at the other end thereof on a cross member |50 secured to the guide brackets 9 of the feed roller mechanism. rllhe work table |33 is situated in the line of feed of the feed roller mechanism and on a horizontal plane substantially coincidental with a plane extending between the feed rollers 5 and 1. The work table |38 is provided with a transversely extending slot MI for reciprocation of the needle 5|) of the sewing machine 55 during its travel transversely of the line of feed of the strip of material to be stitched, identied by the letter :u The material .r is, of course, fed across the machine by the feed rollers and l and usually consists of two or more plies of material. The material is generally fed from supply feed rolls not shown and is guided unto the work table |38 by means of guide mechanism identied in its entirety by the numeral |42. The guide mechanism is made up of a pair of spaced side members |43 having cross bars |44 thereon upon which are adjustably mounted guide flanges |45 and Uit. An adjustable guide rod |41 acts as a holddown for the material immediately prior to the stitching thereof. It will be seen from the above that the guiding nanges may be adjusted to receive diierent widths of material and the material may further be stitched either adjacent one side or the other thereof or in the center portion thereof by means now to be described.

The side members M2 of the guide mechanism are joined at their bottom portions by a base plate Mt secured thereto and slidably mounted in a pair of guideways |49 that extend transversely of the line of feed. See particularly Figs. 1, 3, and 4. A depending lug |50 fast on the base plate M8 extends downwardly through a slot |5| in the bed plate 2 and has threaded engagement adjacent its lower end with an adjusting screw The adjusting screw is journalled in a bracket |53 depending from the bed plate 2 and is held against longitudinal movements therein by collars iba pinned or otherwise secured thereto. One end of the adjusting screw |52 is coupled at 55 to an adjusting knob 55, which is journalledin a bearing l5? in the skirt 5. It will be apparent that turning of the knob |56 and the adjusting screw 52 will move the entire guide mechanism lli-2 in one direction or the other in a line transversely of the line of feed of the material av. rThis adjustment, together with adjustable guide flanges M5 and it, readily provides for the feeding and stitching of materials of diiferent widths and for stitching of different predetermined portions cf the materials.

It will be noted, by reference to Fig. 4, that our machine is capable of sewing a continuous line of stitching having portions alternately long'i- Vtudinally and transversely of the material x.

The length of stitching in both directions is independently adjustable by 'means now to be described.

The extent if movement of the feed rollers ii and i is determined by the spacing of the lugs l i 5 and l ES on the trip rod Ill This spacing of the lugs ||5 and H6 is adjusted by rotation of the trip rod iii within the bearings and, due to the fact that the trip rod sections i2 and i i3 are reversely threaded, rotation of the trip rod iii will cause the space between the lugs ||5 and ii@ to be enlarged or contracted depending on the direction of rotation. The outer end of the trip rod section ||2 is telescoped in and has slot-and-pin engagement with the extended shank |53 of an adjusting knob |59 journalled in a bearing |65 in the skirt 5. In like manner, the extent of travel of the carriage 39 is determined by the spacing of the lugs H5 and H6' on the trip rod ill. The outer end of the trip rod section ||2 is telescoped within and has slot-andpin engagement with the extended shank |58 of an adjusting knob |55 journalled in a bearing |60' in the skirt 5. It will be readily seen that by turning either of the knobs |59 or 59' in either direction, the longitudinal or transverse length of the lines of stitching may be varied at will.

Summary of operation As heretofore stated, the material is adapted to be fed through the guide mechanism i over the work table |38 and through the feed rollers 6 and l. The longitudinal portion of stitching is sewn into the material :1: during a cycle of opera- `accuse tion, wherein the material is being fed across the table by means of the feed roller mechanism and wherein the carriage 39 is stationary at one end or the other of its cycle of travel transversely of the line of feed. When the predetermined length of stitching has been sewn, the motion of the feed rollers 6 and 'l is arrested, and simultaneously the transverse cycle of travel of the carriage 39 is initiated whereby to produce the transverse line of stitching.

With the elements of the snap action mechanisms in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 15. and the control valve mechanism in the position shown in Fig. 17, the carriage 39 is stationary at one end of its cycle of travel and the plunger 35 is moved in an upward direction whereby to cause rotation of the feed rollers 6 and l. At this point, it will be noted that the springs and |0| are compressed to bias the abutment-forming collar 91 toward the left with respect to Fig. 5. Continued upward movement or the plunger 35 causes the block ||8 to be moved toward engagement with the lug ||6 (see particularly Figs. 5 and 13). Further movement of the lug ||8 will cause the trip rod to move longitudinally to a point where engagement of the collar thereon with the crank arm |21 will raise the dog |3| out of the line of travel of the collar 91 and away from abutting engagement therewith. This disengagement allows pressure of the springs |00 and |0| to snap the push rod 95 in a, direction from right to left with respect to Fig. 5 and cause the lever 83 and the valve elements 15 and '|6 connected thereto to be snapped over from the position shown in Fig. 17 to the position shown in Fig. 18. With the valve element 16 in the position shown in Fig. 18, flow of uid is blocked 01T to and from the cylinder 36, thus causing the plunger 35 to be held in a stationary condition; and with the simultaneous placing of the valve element 75 in the position of Fig. 18, uid under pressure is forced from the pump 63 through the conduit 59 into the valve 6l. From thence, it is forced through the conduit "I0 into one end of the cylinder 46 causing the plunger 4l and the carriage 39 carried thereby in a direction from the right to the left with respect to Fig. 5. During this time, uid is moved from the other end of the cylinder 46 through the conduit the valve 61, and the conduit 14 to the reservoir 62.

Movement of the carriage 39 from the right to the left with respect to Fig. 5 causes the cam rollers |68 of the cantilevers |06 and |09 to be disengaged from the cams |09 and |09 respectively and further movement of the carriage 39 causes engagement of the rollers |08 of thecantilevers |05 and |05' to be engaged by the cams |09 and |09 respectively. As the cantilevers |05 and |05' are moved by cam engagement with their respective cams, the springs |00 and |09 and |02 and |02' are forced toward compressed condition against the collars 98 and 98 respectively. The dogs |32 and |32' being pulled into the path of travel of the collars 98 and 99 respectively by the springs 33, stop movement of the collars 90 and 98'. Movement of the trip iinger |31 on the carriage 39 will cause it to engage the lug ||5 on the trip rod to move the same in a direction from the right to the left with respect to Fig. 5. This movement causes engagement of the crank arm |28 by the collar |26' on the trip rod section ||3 to withdraw the dog |32 out of engagement with the collar 98' whereby to allow action of the springs |00 and |02' to 10 snap the push rod 95' in a direction from the left to the right with respect to Fig. 5 to rotate the rock shaft 92 in a counterclockwise direct-ion with respect to Figs. 17 to 20 inclusive. This movement will place crank arm 9| and the connecting rod 88 in the position shown in Fig. 19. It will be noted that during this cycle of operation, there has been no movement of the lever 83.. However, positioning of the crank arm 9| moves the T-shaped bell crank 66 to a position where its connections with the valve elements 'l5 and 'I6 simultaneously position them so that flow of fluid is blocked oi from the cylinder 56 and so that fluid under pressure will be pumped through the conduit 69 through the valve 68 to the upper portion of the cylinder 36, whereby to force the piston-equipped plunger 35 in a downwardly direction. Downward movement of the piston 35 will cause the block ||8 to move in a direction from the right to the left with respect to Fig. 5 into engagement with the lug ||5 on the trip rod Further movement of the plunger 35 will cause the trip rod to be moved to a point where the collar |26 thereon has engaged the crank arm |28 to a, point where it causes disengagement of the dog |32 with the collar 99. 'I'his disengagement will allow the springs |00 and |02 to snap the push rod from the left to the right with respect to Fig. 5 and position the lever 83, as shown in Fig. 20, causing simultaneous movements of the valve elements l5 and 16. This positioning of the valves '|5 and 16 will block off flow to and from the cylinder 36 and allow fluid under pressure to be pumped through the conduit 69, valve 61, and conduit 1|, to one end of the cylinder 46 to force the plunger 4l and the carriage 39 in a direction from the left to the right `with respect to Fig. 5. Movement of the carriage 39 from the left to the right with respect to Fig. 5 will cause engagement of the lug I6 by the trip lingers |31 to move the trip rod from the left to the right with respect to Fig. 5. This movement will cause the collar |26 to engage the crank arm |28 whereby to disengage the dog |32 from the collar 98. This disengagement will, of course, allow the springs |09 and |02 to snap the push rod 95' in a, direction from the left to the right with respect to Fig. 5 and rotate the rock shaft 92 in clockwise direction with respect to Fig. 17 to position the valve elements i5 and 'I6 from that of Fig. 20 to that of Fig. 17 lthereby completing a full cycle of operation.

Subsequent cycles of operation are identical to that immediately above-described and follow in uninterrupted sequence providing a continuous line of stitching in the material as it is fed through the machine.

Our invention has been completely tested and found to be entirely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects; and while we have disclosed a commercial form of our invention, it should be obvious that the same is capable of considerable modication without departure from the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

l. In a machine of the kind described, a cooperative pair of feed rollers adapted to receive the material between them, a pair of pinion gears, a pair of gear racks mounted for reciprocating movements and each meshing with a different one of said pinion gears, driving connections between each of said pinion gears and one of said feed rollers involving a pair of over-riding clutches, means for simultaneously reciprocating the gear racks including a double-ended cadenze hydraulic cylinder, a plunger rod-equippedpiston working in the cylinder, a source of fluid pressure with connections in opposite ends of the cylinder, mechanical connections between the extended end of the plunger rod and said gear racks, and means for varying the length of the strokes of the gear racks to thereby vary the feeding travel of each of the feed rollers during each operating cycle, said over-riding clutches being constructed and arranged to impart feeding movements to the coupled feed rollers, one under extending movements of the gear racks and the other on retracting movements of the gear racks.

2. In a machine of the kind described, cooperating feed rollers, a double-ended cylinder and cooperating plunger-equipped piston, powertransmitting connections between the said plunger and the feed rollers converting reciprocating motion of the plunger into rotary motion of the feed rollers, a sewing machine mounted for reciprocating movements transversely of the line of feed, a double-ended cylinder and cooperating piston-equipped plunger rod operatively Yconnected to the sewing machine to move the same in one direction under extending movements of the plunger and in the opposite direction under retracting movements of the plunger, a source of fluid pressure, iiuid connections between the high and low pressure sides of said fluid pressure source and opposite ends of each of said cylinders, and control valve means interposed in said fluid connections, said valve means operative in vone position to impart rotary movements only to the feed rollers and in another position to impart reciprocal movements only to the sewing machine.

3. The structure defined in claim 2 in further combination with means operatively associated with each of said plungers for independently actuating said control valve means to alternately impart rotary movements to said rollers and reciprocal movements to said sewing machine.

4. In a machine of the kind described, cooperating feed rollers, a double-ended cylinder and cooperating plunger-equipped piston, powertransmitting connections between the said plunger and the feed rollers converting reciprocating motion of the plunger into rotary motion of the feed rollers, a sewing machine mounted for reciprocating movements transversely of the line of feed, a double-ended cylinder and cooperating piston-equipped plunger rod connected to the sewing machine to move the same in one direction under extending movements of the plunger and in the opposite direction under retractlng movements of the plunger, a source of fluid pressure, uid connections between the high and low pressure sides of said nuid pressure source and opposite ends of each of said cylinders, and a pair of control valves in said fluid connections, each of said valves in one of its extreme positions connecting one end of its respective cylinder to the high-pressure side of the fluid source and the other end of its respective cylinder to the lowpressure side of said fluid source, each of said valves in the other of its extreme positions connecting the said other end of its respective cylinder to the high pressure side of said duid source and the first-named end of its cooperating cylinder to the low pressure side of said fluid source, and each of said valves in its intermediate position blocking off flow to and from both ends of its respective cylinder.

5. The structure defined in claim l in further combination with means operatively associated with each of said plungers for independently actuating said control valvesto alternately impart rotary movements to the rollers and reciprocal movements to the 'sewing machine.

6. In a machine of the kind described, coop-- erating feed rollers, a double-ended cylinder and cooperating plunger-equipped piston, power'- transmitting connections between the said plunger and the feed rollers converting reciprocating motion of the plunger into rotary motion of the feed roller, a sewing machine mounted for reciprocating movements transversely of the line of feed, a double-ended cylinder and cooperating piston-equipped plunger rod connected to the sewing machine to move the same in one direction under extending movements of the plunger and in the opposite direction under reti-acting movements of the plunger, a source of duid pressure, fluid connections between the high and low pressure sides of said uid pressure source and opposite ends of each of said cylinders, a pair of control valves in said fluid connections, each of said valves in one of its extreme positions connecting one end of its respective cylinder to the high-pressure side of the fluid source and the other end of its respective cylinder to the lowpressure side of said fluid source, each of said valves in the other of its extreme positions connecting the said other end of its respective cylinder to the high-pressure side of said fluid source and the first-named end of its cooperatinT cylinder to the low-pressure side of said fluid source, and each of said valves in its intermediate position blocking off flow to and from both ends of its respective cylinder, and means including snap action mechanism operatively associated with each of said plungers for independently actuating said control valves to alternately impart rotary movements to said rollers and reciprocal V movements to said sewing machine.

7. In a machine of the kind described, cooperating feed rollers, a double-ended cylinder and cooperating plunger-equipped piston, powertransmitting connections between the said plunger and the feed rollers converting reciprocating motion of the plunger into rotary motion of the feed rollers, a sewing machine mounted for reciprocating movements transversely of the line of feed, a double-ended cylinder and cooperating piston-equipped plunger rod connected to the sewing machine to move the same in one direction under extending movements of the plunger and in the opposite direction under etracting movements of the. plunger, a source of fluid pressure, fluid connections between the high and low pressure sides of said fluid pressure source and opposite ends of each of said cylinders, a pair of control valves in said uid connections, each of said valves in one of its extreme positions connecting one end of its respective cylinder to the high-pressure'side of the fluid source and 'lie other end of its respective cylinder to the lowpressure side of said liuid source, each of said valves in the other of its extreme positions connecting the said other end of its respective cylinderjto the high-pressure side of said fluid source and the first-named endof its cooperating cylinder to the low-pressure side of said duid source, and each of said valves in its intermediate position blocking off ow to and from both ends of its respective cylinder, and snap action mechanism responsive to the movement of either of said plungers to position said control valves to simultaneously terminate the cycle of movement thereof and initiate a cycle of movement of the other of said plungers.

8. The structure defined in claim 2 in further combination with means for varying the extent of reciprocal movements of the sewing machine.

9. The structure defined in claim 2 in further combination with means for varying the limits of the reciprocal movements of the sewing machine and further independent means for varying the rotary movements of the feed rollers.

10. The structure defined in claim 4 in further combination with means for varying the limits of movement of the plunger within one of said cylinders to thereby vary the periodic feed movements of said feed rollers.

1l. The structure defined in claim 4 in further combination with means for varying the limits of movement of said plungers within said cylinders to thereby vary the periodic rotary feeding movements of said feed rollers and the periodic reciprocal movements of said sewing machine.

12. In a machine of the class described, a frame, a cooperating pair of feed rollers mounted on said frame and adapted to receive material between them, a double-ended cylinder carried by said frame, a cooperating plunger equipped piston in said cylinder, power-transmitting connections between said plunger and the feed rollers converting reciprocating motion of the plunger and the rotary motion of the feed rollers, a carriage mounted on said frame for reciprocating movements transversely of the line of feed, a sewing machine mounted on said carriage, a second double-ended cylinder carried by said frame, a cooperating piston equipped plunger rod working in said second cylinder and connected to said lcarriage to move the same in one direction under extending movements of the plunger and in the opposite direction under retracting movements of the plunger, a motor mounted on said frame, driving connections between said motor and said sewing machine, a source of fluid pressure, fluid connections between the high and low pressure sides of said uid pressure source and opposite ends of each of said cylinders, a pair of control valves in said fluid connections, each of said valves in one of its extreme positions connecting one end of its respective cylinder to the high pressure side of the uid source and the other end of its respective cylinder to the low pressure side o-f its fluid source, each of said valves in the other of its extreme positions connecting the said other end of its respective cylinder to the high pressure side of said fluid source and the first-named end of its cooperating cylinder to the low pressure side of said uid source, and each of said valves in its intermediate position blocking off ow to and from both ends of its respective cylinder, snap action mechanism operatively associated with said reciprocating carriage for positioning said control valves to simultaneously stop movement of said carriage and initiate rotary feed movements of the feed rollers, and snap action mechanism operatively associated with said rollers for positioning said control valves to simultaneously stop rotary movements of said feed rollers and initiate reciprocal movement of said carriage.

13. In a machine of the kind described, cooperating feed rollers, a double-ended cylinder and cooperating plunger-equipped piston, powertransmitting connections between the said plunger and the feed rollers converting reciprocating motion of the plunger into rotary motion of the Afeed rollers, a sewing machine mounted for reciprocating movements transversely of the line of feed, a double-ended cylinder and cooperating piston-equipped plunger rod operatively connected to the sewing machine to move the same in one direction under extending movements of the plunger and in the opposite direction under retracting movements of the plunger, a source of fluid pressure, a pair of valve bodies, fiuid connections between each one of said valve bodies and opposite ends of one each of said cylinders, fluid connections between each of said valve bodies and the high pressure side of said fluid source, fluid connections between said valve bodies and the low pressure side of said uid source, valve elements movable in said valve bodies, said valve elements in one position within said valve bodies permitting passage of fluid from the high pressure side of said fluid source to one end of its cooperating cylinder and passage of iiuid from the other end of its cooperating cylinder to said low pressure side of said fluid source, said valve elements in a second position permitting passage of fluid from the high pressure side of the fluid source to the other end of said cylinder and passage of fluid from the first-named end of said cylinder to the low pressure side of said fluid source, said valve elements in a third position Within said valve bodies blocking off passage of fluid to and from both ends of its respective cooperating cylinder, snap action mechanism operatively responsive to the movement of said plungers, and linkage connecting said snap action mechanism to said valve elements to place one of said valve elements in a position to block 01T flow of fluid to and from both ends of its respective cylinder and simultaneously positioning the other of said valve elements in a position within its cooperating valve body to permit passage of fluid from the high pressure side of the fiuicl source to the other end of its respective cylinder.

14. The structure defined in claim 13 in which the snap action mechanism includes cooking mechanism controlled by movements of the carriage and tripping means for said snap action mechanism carried by said carriage and one of said plungers.

l5. In a device of the class described, feed roller mechanism, a double-ended cylinder and cooperating plunger-equipped piston, powertransmitting connections between the said plunger and said feed roller mechanism converting reciprocated motion of the plunger into rotary motion of the feed roller mechanism, a carriage mounted for reciprocating movements transversely of the line of feed, a double-ended cylinder and cooperating piston-equipped plunger rod connected to the carriage to move the same in one direction under extending movements of the plunger and in the opposite direction under retracting movements of the plunger, a source of iiuid pressure, uid connections between the high and low pressure sides of the fluid pressure source and opposite ends of each of said cylinders, control valve means interposed in said fluid connections, said control valve means operative in one position to impart rotary movements only to the feed rollers and in another position to impart reciprocal movements only to the carriage, a snap action element, means associated with said carriage for imparting bias to said snap action element during the cycle of travel lof said carriage in either direction, means responsive to the movements of said carriage in either direction for releasing said snap action element, linkage responsive to the movement oi said snap action element upon release thereof 'for actuating the control valve means to simultaneously terminate the cycle of travel of the carriage and initiate a cycle of feeding movements to the feed roller mechanism, a second snap 'action element, means associated with said carriage for imparting bias thereto during the cycle or" travel oi said carriage in either direction, means responsive to the movements of said feed roller mechanism for releasing said snap action element, and linkage responsive to the Vmovements oi said snap action element and operatively associated with said first-mentioned linkage to actuate said control valve means to simultaneously terminate the cycle of movement oi the feed roller mechanism and initiate a cycle of movement oi said carriage.

16. The structure defined in claim l5 in which said control valve means includes a pair of control valves having reciprocating valve elements, each operatively associated with one of said cylinders, each oi said valves in one o its extreme positions connecting one end oi its cooperating cylinder to the high pressure side of the fluid source and the other end oi its cooperating cylinder to the lowY pressure side of said fluid source, each of said valves in the other of its eXtreme positions connecting the said other end of its cooperating cylinder to the high pressure side of the uid source and the first-named end of its cooperating cylinder to the low pressure side of said fluid source, and each of said Valves in its intermediate position blocking off flow to and from both ends of its cooperating cylinders.

l'i. The structure dened in claim l5 in further combination with a frame, and in which each or said snap action elements comprises a push rod mounted in said frame orfsliding movements substantially parallel to the carriage, a pair of spaced abutments on said push rods, a coil'eompression spring encompassing said push rod intermediate said abutments, cam means on the' carriage, lever means on said frame adapted to cooperate with said cam means on the carriage to compress the spring on the push rod, and a pair of tripping dogs on said frame adjacent the abutments on said push rod normally lying in the path of said abutments whereby to provide a base of resistance for said spring.

13. The structure dened in claim in further combination with means for varying the limitations of movement or" said plungers within said cylinders to thereby vary the periodic rotary feeding movements of said feed roller mechanism and periodic reciprocal movements of said `carriage.

19. 1n a machine of the class described, a frame, a cooperating pair of feed rollers mounted on said frame and adapted to receive material between them, a double-ended cylinder carried by said frame, a cooperating plunger-equipped and in the-opposite direction under retractngmovements of the iplungena source of fluid pressure, a pair of valve bodies, fluid connections between one each of said valve bodies and opposite ends of one each 'oi said cylinders, iiuid connections between each of said valve bodies and the high pressure side of said fluid source, fluid connections between said valve bodies and the low pressure side of said iuid source, Valve elements movable in said valve bodies, said valve elements in one position within said valve bodies permitting passage oi uid from the high pressure side of said fluid source to one end of its cooperating cylinder and passage of i'iuid from the other end or" its cooperating cylinder to the low pressure ide of said fluid source, said valve elements in a second position permitting passage of iiuid from the high pressure side of the fluid source to the other Vend of said cylinder and `,passage of iluid from the first-named end of said cylinder to the low pressure side of said fluid source, said valve elements in a third position within said valve bodies `blocking oi passage of fluid to and from both end or" its cooperating cylinder, `a pair of push rods mounted in said frame for sliding movements substantially parallel to the carriage, a pair of spaced abutments on each of said push rods, a coil compression spring encompassing each or" said push rods intermediate said abutments, a pair of opposed cams on said carriage, bell-cranks on said frame adapted to cooperate with said cams on said carriage to compress the springs on said push rods under movements of the carriageA in either direction, dogs on said frame adjacent the abutments on said push rods and normally lying in the vpath of said abutments to provide bases of resistance for said springs, linkage connecting one of said push rods to-said control valve elements, linkage connecting the other yof, said posh rods to said first-'mentioned linkage for cooperation therewith to operate said valve elements, a pair of trip rods siidably mounted on said trame, one each adjacent one of said push rods, means carried by said trip rods for moving said dogs out of engagement with said abutments, lugs carried by said trip rods, a trip finger on said carria'ge adapted to engage the lugs on one of said triprods under extreme reciprocal movements of said carriage, and a tripping element operatively associated with said feed roller mechanism adapted to engage the lugs on the other of said trip rods'under feeding movements of the feed roller mechanism;

2). rEhe structure defined in claim 19 in further combination with spring means biasing said dogs toward the path or" travel of said abutments.

2l. The structure defined in claim 19 in which the lugs on said trip rods are longitudinally adjustable thereon, whereby `to vary the stroke of the plungers within their respective cylinders.

22. ln a machine the kind described, a cooperating pair of feed rollers adapted to receive material between them, a pair of pinion gears, a pairof gear racks mounted for reciprocating movements and keach meshing with a different one of said pinion gears, driving connections between each of said pinion gears and one of said feed rollers involving a pair of over-riding clutches, Sand means Vior simultaneously reciprocating the said gear racks, said over-riding clutches being constructed and arranged to impart eedingmovements to the coupled feed rollers one under extending movements of the gear racks and the other on retracting movements of 'the -gear racks, said means for simultaneously 17 reciprocating the gear racks comprising a doubleended hydraulic cylinder, a plunger rod-equipped piston working in the cylinder, a source of Huid pressure with connections in opposite ends of the cylinder, and mechanical connections between the extended end of the plunger rod and said gear racks.

23. In a machine of the kind described, a cooperating pair of feed rollers adapted to receive material between them, a pair of pinion gears, a drive shaft projecting axially from one end of one of said rollers, a pair of over-riding clutches on said drive shaft in side-by-sde relationship, a pair of pinion gears operatively associated with said over-riding clutches, a pair of gear racks mounted for reciprocating movements and each meshing with one of said pinion gears, and means for simultaneously reciprocating said gear racks, said over-riding clutches being constructed and arranged to impart feeding movements to the coupled feed rollers one under extending movements of the gear racks and the other on retracting movements of the gear racks, said means for simultaneously reciprocating the gear racks comprising a double-ended hydraulic cylinder, a plunger rod-equipped piston working in the cylinder, a source of iluid pressure with connections in opposite ends of the cylinder, and mechanical connections between the extended end of the plunger rod and said gear racks.

24. In a machine of the kind described, a cooperating pair of feed rollers adapted to receive material between them, a pair of pinion gears, a pair of gear racks mounted for reciprocating movements and each meshing with a different one of said pinion gears, driving connections between each of said pinion gears and one of said feed rollers involving a pair of over-riding clutches, means for simultaneously reciprocating the said gear racks, said over-riding clutches being constructed and arranged to impart feeding movements to the coupled feed rollers one under extending movements of the gear racks and the other on retracting movements of the gear racks, and means for varying the strokes of the gear racks to thereby vary the feeding travel of each of the feed rollers during each operating cycle.

MICHAEL BECHIK.

JOEL G. STRANDBERG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 87,353 Metten Mar. 2, 1869 421,816 Coles Feb. 18, 1890 425,534 Brener Apr. 15, 1890 2,049,292 Feldmann July 28, 1936 2,059,845 Bowersox Nov. 3, 1936 2,325,643 Weis Aug. 3, 1943 2,382,486 Kelly Aug. 14, 1945 

